Feeding and cutting device for photoprinting apparatus



July 6, 1954 B. G. GROSS 2,682,817

Filed Aug. 22, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l loo.

BEN G. GROSS INVENTOR HUEBNER, BEEHLER, WORREL, 8 HERZ/G ATTORNEYS eo e/\x X B July 6, 1954 B. cs. GROSS FEEDING AND CUTTING DEVICE FORPHOTOPRINTING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 22, 1950 SKRH, S Qv%\w\ mmm H R5 M W m a. m M W L m m a 5 am R f W W. a w: H AM 7 o w o 0m 5 m9 3 q $9 1 4m 3 Q\ \h\ r m% 0Q B. G. GROSS July 6, 1954 FEEDING ANDCUTTING DEVICE FOR PHOTOPRINTING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug.22, 1950 BEN G. GROSS INVENTOR HUEE/VER, BEEHLE/P, WORREL;

8 HERZ/G ATTORNEYS z wdfzm July 6, 1954' B, G, R S 2,682,817

FEEDING AND CUTTING DEVICE FOR PHOTOPRINTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 22,1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 r /00\ J [/33 93 98 i l //7 Y 1 i W93 3 r V A IA I //6 66 3 64 1-6-19 93 10a 85 6? I 63 6/8 I 64 60 60 57 BEN G. GROSSINVENTOR HUE'B/VER, BEEHLER, WORRfL,

8 HERZ/G ATTORNEYS Patented July 6, 1954 FEEDING AND CUTTING DEVICE FORPHOTOPRINTIN G APPARATUS Ben G. Gross, Fresno, Calif. Application August22, 1950, Serial No. 180,878

3 Claims.

1 The present invention relates to photo printing apparatus and moreparticularly to a combined photo printer and feeding and cutting devicefor sensitized strip printing material.

In the most modern photo printing shops it is the practice to employ anyof the well known photo printing apparatus which provide timed exposureof sensitized printing material by light rays projected through apreviously processed negative. After exposure of the sensitized paper itis developed in the usual developing solutions.

Such machines generally provide a source of light, a station adapted toreceive photographic negatives, and an exposure station at which thesensitized paper is arranged. The more modern apparatus provides amanually controlled switch for initiating illumination of the negativeand exposure of the sensitized material and a timing device whichautomatically interrupts the light after a predetermined period.

Although such apparatus is a substantial advance over previous devicesfor the purpose it is subject to certain disadvantages which the subjectinvention seeks to overcome. An operator of the modern photo printingapparatus carefully arranges a negative in the negative station and apiece of sensitized printing paper at the exposure station, manuallycloses the switch referred to above, waits for the timing device toregulate completion of the exposure, manually removes the negative,removes the printing paper from the exposure station, and deposits thesame in a developing solution. Because of the requisite handling, almostall commercially developed photographic prints bear detectable fingermarks. competition requires speedy completion, the handling causes moredamage to the printing paper than might otherwise occur. The printingoperation is obviously slowly performed because of the successive manualoperations. It has also been discovered that the commercial photoprinting apparatus referred to above is more expensive to operate, lessuniform in its results, and more wasteful of time than needbe.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a photoprinting apparatus having improved operation characteristics.

Another object is to improve the quality, increase the speed, and reducethe cost of photo printing.

Another object is to provide a photo printing apparatus adapted tohandle sensitized photo The fact that modern printingprinting paperemployed therein in a mechanical, speedy, and uniform manner.

"Another object is to provide an automatic feeding and cutting devicefor strip material.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the character describedthat is economical to produce, dependable in its operation andconveniently adjustable to varied operational requirements.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent in the subsequentdescription in the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a photo printing apparatus showingin combination therewith a sensitized strip of printing materialfeeding, cutting and perforating mechanism embodying the principles ofthe present invention. For illustrative convenience, the supportingtable of the photo printing apparatus is shown in fragmentary verticalsection.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the structure shown in Fig. I viewed fromthe discharge end thereof.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the combined photo printing apparatus andfeeding, cutting and perforating mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the structure shown inFig. 4, as taken on line 44 thereof.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5 -5 of Fig. 3 illustrating a paperguide and holding structure at the exposure station.

Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse section through the structure takenalong line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. '7 is a vertical transverse section through the structure taken online 1-1 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a vertical transverse section through I the structure asviewed from line 8-8 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a vertical transverse section through the structure as viewedfrom line 99 of Fig. 3. Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the electricalcircuit of the combined photo printing apparatus and feeding, cuttingand perforating device.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings: In Fig. 1-, a conventionalphoto printing apparatus is indicated generally at I 0 and the feeding,cutting, and perforating device at I I. The photo printing apparatusincludes a table shown in section at I5 supported in any convenientmanner, not shown, and a cabinet l6. A lamp housing [1 is supported onthe table IS. The lamp housing l1 houses an electric lamp I8diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 10. A transparent window I 9 isprovided in the upper portion of the lamp housing lT through the tablel5. A frame 26 circumscribes the window [9 and defines a negativeholding station 2|. The frame is preferably pivotally mounted as at 22for convenient elevation to facilitate insertion and removal ofnegatives. A transparent pane of glass 23 or the like is mounted in theframe and serves to hold negatives in position at the negative stationflatly in precisely predetermined position.

The lamp I8 is adapted to project light rays upwardly through the lamphousing I! to an exposure station indicated at 25. It is customary indevices of the type to provide a shutter, not shown, within the lamphousing I! below the exposure station 25. The shutter is conventionallyurged by spring means to a position blocking illumination of theexposure station 'by the lamp. A solenoid 26 is connected by amechanical link, also not shown, to the shutter and when energizedretracts the shutter for illumination of the exposure station by thelamp.

lhe electric control system shown in Fig, will subsequently be describedin greater detail. At this point it is sufficient to observe that amanually manipulable switch 28 is provided in a convenient position andis connected to initiate energization of the lamp it. A timing device indicated at 29 in Fig. 10 interrupts energization of the lamp after apredetermined period. The solenoid 26 is electrically connected so thatit urges the shutter out of the path of the light during the periodfollowing operation of the switch 26 and prior to the interruption ofthe illumina tion by the timing device.

It is the conventional practice to number sensitized paper positioned atthe exposure station during the exposure thereof. This is conventionallyaccomplished by means of a consecutive number printing device 35 mountedabove the exposure station for reciprocal movement thereto. The printingdevice provides an operating plunger 6% which when depressed causes theprinting device to engage the printing paper at the exposure station andwhich when released permits retrac tion from such engagement byresilient means not shown. A mechanical link 31 provides a printing arm38 pivotally mounted above the op erating plunger 36. When the solenoid26 is energized the arm 38 pivots clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2,striking the plunger 36 and numbering the printing paper at the exposurestation 25.

When the solenoid 25 is deenergized, the arm 36 moves counterclockwiseto the position shown in Fig. 2 permitting retraction of the printingdevice 35 from the printing paper.

The structure thus far described is essentially conventional andillustrates a photo printing apparatus of a type with which the feeding,cutting, and perforating device of the subject invention is suitablycombined. It is to be understood that the structure recited is notintended to limit the present invention but only suitably to illustratea photo printer. The printing apparatus itself, because of its wellknown character, is not described in greater detail herein.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the exposure station 25 is provided with atransparent window 42 against which printing paper is held for exposure.conventionally the exposure station 25 employs a frame for holdingrectangular pieces of printing paper in precise position.

In order to utilize the feeding, cutting, and perforating device I Isuch frame is removed and an adjustable guide 43 provided longitudinallyof the window 42, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5,

The guide conveniently takes the form of a pair of strips 44 mounted inadjustably spaced parallel relation by screws 45 passed throughelongated openings in the strips and screw-threadably engaged into thehousing l6. A cover plate 46 is pivotally mounted, as at 41, in coveringrelation to the exposure station and serves to maintain strip framematerial between the guides and dependably in position for exposure. Anopening 48 is formed through the plate 46 for the printing of numbers onthe printing paper therethrough. The pivotal mounting of the cover platefacilitates its elevation for the threading of strip printing paper 50therethrough.

A bracket 54 is mounted at a side of the photo printing apparatus I6 asat 55 and releasably supports a reel 56 thereon for rotary motion. Thestrip printing paper 50 is unwound from the reel and threaded throughthe guide 43 at the exposure station, as previously described. Althoughthe device of the present invention is normally employed in a dark room,a light shield of opaque material is optionally employed about the reel.The shield obviously does not constitute a part of the present inventionand thus is not shown in the drawings.

A pair of spaced brackets 5|] are bolted to the housing 16 as at 6| andextended from the end of the housing opposite to the reel 56. As shownin Fig. 6, the brackets mount a pair of juxtapositioned U shaped tracks62 in substantially horizontal position. A carriage 63 having trackengaging flanges 64 is supported in the tracks for slidable movement inspecial adjusting relation to the photo printing apparatus Ill. Theflange 64 of the carriage 63 is provided with a pin receiving bore 65and at least one of the tracks provided with a series of bores 66. A pin61 is inserted through the carriage bore 65 into engagement with aselected track bore 66 to lock the carriage in adjusted spaced relationto the photo printing apparatus 10.

A cylindrical lower feed roller 69 is journaled in the carriage as at H!in a substantially hori zontal position with the upper periphery thereofat substantially the same elevation as the window 42, as shown in Fig.5. A pair of juxtapositioned channels H are formed in the carriage 63above the feed roller 69. A pair of blocks 12 are mounted in thechannels for vertical slidable movement. A plate 13 is mounted inclosing relation to the upper ends of the channels H by cap screws 14. Awing bolt I5 is screw-threadably mounted in each of the plates 13 andprovides a spring engaging flange 16 within its respective channel I l.Helical springs 11 are positioned between the blocks 12 and the flanges16 and by rotation of the wing bolts the resilient effect of the springsin urging the blocks downwardly is adjusted. An upper feed roller isrotatably mounted between the blocks 12, as at 8|, in a substantiallyhori zontal position having its lower periphery adjacent to the lowerfeed roller 69.

As particularly illustrated in Fig. 6, a shelf 83 is mounted on thecarriage 63 and extended horizontally therefrom. A transmission 84 issuspended from the shelf 83 and has driving connection with the lowerfeed roller 69 by means of a coupling 85. A motor 86 has drivingconnection with the transmission. In the drawing, the motor 86 is shownas employing a fan 81 for cooling purposes having a guard 88 providedthereabout. When the motor is energized, the transmission rotates thelower feed roller at an appreciably reduced speed in a counterclockwisedirection, as

viewed in Fig. 4, and strip printing paper threaded between the rollersis drawn through the guide 43 and impelled outwardly from the rollers,in a path of discharge shown at 90 in Fig. 4.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 9, a pair of rails 93 are mounted on each of thesides of the carriage 63 and downwardly extended therefrom in horizontalparallel relation. A limit switch base 94 having bifurcated end portions95 fitted to the rails 93 is slidably mounted on the rails for movementin spaced relation to the rollers 69 and 80. One of the rails isprovided with a series of bores 96 downwardly therethrough. The adjacentbifurcated end portion 95 of the base 94 has a juxtapositionable bore 91formed therethrough. A pin 98 is extended downwardly through the bores91 and 96 to lock the base 94 in position.

A two-way limit switch 99 is mounted on the base 94 and has an operatinglever I90 extended therefrom into the path of discharge 90 of the stripprinting paper 50. The switch 99 has a normally closed contact IOI,-diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 10, and an operably closed contactI02. When the lever I00 is in the normal position illustrated in Fig. 4,the contact IOI is I00, a guide I03 of sheet material is mounted on ithe base 94 and extended downwardly and toward the printing apparatus.The guide is slotted, as shown in Fig. 8, for extension of the lever I00therethrough.

A tumble knife I08 is rotatably mounted transversely of the path ofdischarge 90 in the carriage 63, as shown in Fig. 8. A table I09 ismounted between the sides of the carriage 63 in the path of discharge 90and provides an edge IIO disposed for shearing association with thetumbler knife I08. It is usually desired to provide ornamental edges onthe prints cut from the strip printing material 50 so the knife I08 andedge II 0 are. preferably provided with complementary scallopedconfiguration. An arm H4 is radially upwardly extended from the knifeI08 and provides rocking movement thereof to cut the strip printingmaterial fed between the table andknife by the action of the rollers 69and 80.

A bracket H6 is mounted on the side of the Q carriage 63 which supportsthe transmission 84 and motor 86. The bracket II6 has a strop rod II'Imounted therein for horizontal adjustment. The rod is extended towardthe photo printing apparatus. A cutting knife driving solenoid H8 ismounted on the shelf 83 and provides an endwardly reciprocal armatureII9 extended toward the rod II'I. An L-shaped drive member I ispivotally connected to the armature H9. The knife arm I I4 is upwardlyextended and pivotally connected to the L-shaped drive member, I20whereby reciprocation of saidmember by operation of the solenoid H8 andarmature II9 rocks the knife I08 to and from shearing relation with theedge IIO of the table I09. A top nut I23 is screw-threadably mounted onthe rod I I1 engageable with the bracket II6 to limit travel of thedrive member I20 from the solenoid I I8 and thus rocking movement of theknife relative to the table I 09. A spring I24 is connected underinitial tension between the L-shaped drive member I20 and the bracket II6 tending to retract the member and the knife arm I I4 to rock theknife away from the table and/or paper engagement.

A pair of juxtapositioned perforator slide channels I28 are formedvertically in the carriage 63, as shown in Fig. 4. A perforated body I29is slidably mounted in the channels for vertical movement in asubstantially horizontal attitude and retained in the channels by platesI39 secured to the carriage across the upper ends of the channels by capscrews I3I. Any desired number of perforating punches I34 are down"wardly extended from the body I29 for paper engagement. A like number ofopenings I35 are formed in the table in positions adapted to receive thepunches I34 in perforating paper. Bores I36 are formed upwardly in thetable concentrically of the bores I35 for convenient ejection ofperforated portions of paper therethrough. It is frequently desirable tosubstitute bodies I29 having other desired numbers of punches 34 bornethereby for specialized photo printing problems. This-necessitatessubstitution of a portion of the table having the bores I35 formedtherein. For this purpose, an insert I31 is formed in the table I09providing the requisite arrangement and spacing of the openings I35suited to corresponding punches I34 of the cutting edge I I0.

A link MI is pivotally connected at I42 to opposite ends of theperforator body I29. An arm I43 is radially extended from the knifepivot the extended end of the arm pivotally connected to the link I4I.By referring to Fig. 1, it is evident that when the solenoid II8 isenergized to retract the arm H9 to operate the knife I08, the arm I 43and link I4I draws the body I29 of the perforator downwardly extendingthe perforating punches I34 into the openings I35 effectivelyperforating printing paper 50 arranged therebetween.

The extended end of the solenoid arm H9 is provided with a shoulder I46.A normally open stop switch I4! is conveniently mounted on the solenoidI I8, as shown in Fig. 1,- and provides an operating lever I extendedinto the path of movement of the shoulder I46. When the solenoid isenergized, the shoulder I46 is drawn against the lever I48 closing'theswitch I4! for purposes soon to be described.

To eject strip printing material from the discharge path after beingsevered by the knife I98, a plunger I50 is mounted for reciprocalelevational movement above the path of discharge 90 intermediate theknife and the limit switch 89. A solenoid I5! has driving connectionwith the plunger, and when energized urges the plunger downwardly tostrike the previously severed strip printing paper. A discharge chuteIE2 is located below the plunger I 50 and is inclined downwardlytherefrom to a pan I53, shown in Fig. 2, containing the developingsolution. A control switch I is mounted adjacent to the solenoid 25 andprovides an operating lever I56 in the path of movement of the printingarm 38. The control switch is normally open and forcibly closed by theprinting arm 38 when retracted from the plunger 36.

The operating circuits of the photo printing apparatus I 0 and thefeeding, cutting, and perforating device I I are shown in Fig. 10connected to a source of electrical energy represented at I58.

The photo printing apparatus employs a relay lam I8 with the source ofelectrical energy I58. The timer may be of any suitable form adapted tointerrupt the series circuit of the bridging eleent, timer, and lamp apredetermined period after energization thereof in response to closingof the bridging element. The solenoid 26 is connected in parallel withthe lamp as is the ejector solenoid IBI whereby both of said solenoidsare energized concurrently with energization of the lamp I8 anddeenergized when the circuit is interrupted by the timer I64. The dottedline I65 in Fig. 10 represents the mechanical linkage including theprinting arm 38 which is motivated by the solenoid 26 and which closesthe control switch [55 in response to deenergization of the solenoid 26and retraction of the printing arm. A relay I68 has a holding coilconnected in series with the control switch I55 to the source ofelectrical energy I58. The relay I68 has a bridging element I69 closedby energization of the relay. A mechanical latch I10 serves to hold thebridging element I69 in closed position even after the relay I68 isdeenergized. Thus momentarily closing of the control switch I55 closesthe bridging element I69 and said bridging element remains closed untilthe latch I10 is released. The bridging element I69 is electricallyconnected in series with the motor 86 and the normally closed contactIIH of the limit switch 99 to the source of electrical energy I58. Theknife operating solenoid H8 is connected to the alternate contact I62 ofthe limit switch 99 in parallel relation to the motor 86. The stopswitch I41 closed by operation of the solenoid H8 is connectedelectrically in series to the source of electrical energy with asolenoid I12 connected to the latch I18 so as to release the bridgingelement I69 from the latch I19 when energized.

Operation The operation of the device of the present invention isbelieved to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point.Strip printing paper 50 or other sensitized stri material is mounted inroll form on the reel 56. An end of the strip paper is threaded throughthe guide 43 which is adjusted to the width of the printing paperemployed. The threading is conveniently accomplished by lifting thecover plate 46 for in sertion of the paper and releasing the cover platefor gravitational overlaying of the guide and retention of the papertherein. The end of the paper is inserted between the rollers 69 and.80. The timer 29 is adjusted to interrupt itscircuits the desiredinterval after energization thereof in the conventional manner.

An operator positions a negative on the window I9 and the frame 20, andthe pane 23 rested on the negative to hold the same precisely in theposition desired.

The manual switch 28 is closed by the operator closing the bridgingelement I6I, energizing the lamp I8, energizing the solenoid I5I andprinting solenoid 26. As previously described, the sole noid 26 removesthe shutter, not shown, from the path of light projected by the lampthrough the negative onto the printing paper at the exposure station 25.Simultaneously the solenoid 26 opcrates the printing device in themanner described to number the back of the printing paper concurrentlybeing exposed. After the time interval determined by the timer 29, thecircuit of the timer, lamp, and solenoids are interrupted. Although notshown in detail in the drawings, the relay I59 is of a well-known type,which when closed, remains closed as long as the bridging element IBIthereof continues to carry current. When the timer interrupts thecurrent, the relay opens. As the printing arm retracts upon interruptionof the current to the solenoid 26, the control switch I55 is engagedthereby and the relay I68 energized. It is significant that the controlswitch I55 is closed immediately following completion of the exposure ofthe printing material at the exposure station 25. Whether this is doneby the operation of the printing arm 38 or electrically directly fromthe timer 29 or the circuits governed thereby is immaterial to thepresent invention which is deemed sufiiciently broad in concept to coverany desired interconnection closing the control switch I55 uponcompletion of the exposure.

Energization of the relay I68 closes its bridging element I69 startingthe motor 86 which roates the feed roller 69 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4. The action of the rollers draws the stripprinting paper 58 from the reel through the guide and impels the same inthe path of the discharge 98 onto the guide I83 and against the lever I08 of the limit switch 99. The forcing of the paper against the leverdisconnects the motor and connects the knife solenoid I I8. It will thusbe apparent that the positioning of the base 94 in adjusted spacedrelation to the rollers 69 and 88 determines the length of the paperthat is extended before the cutting operation is initiated. When thesolenoid II8 energized, the mechanical linkage previously describedincluding the arm II4, rocks the knife into shearing engagement with theedge III) of the table insert I31 severing the strip in a predeterminedlength.

Concurrently the connection of the arm I43 and link I4I draws the bodyI29 of the perforator downwardly and forces the perforator punchesthrough the paper and into the openings I35, perforating the end of thestrip material adjacent to the cut made by the knife I 08.

Upon completion of the cutting and erforating operations, the shoulderI46 of the solenoids II8 strikes the operating lever I48 of the normallyopen stop switch I41 closing the switch. When the switch I41 is closedthe solenoid I12 is energized, retracting the latch I10 from thebridging element I69 which springs open, interrupting its circuit.

This completes a cycle of operation. Obviously, a portion of stripmaterial will be wasted in getting the exposed portion thereof extendedoutwardly for cutting. As the exposed perforated and severed portions ofthe printing paper 56 are cut from the strip by the knife I08 theynormally gravitate down the chute I52 into the developing pan I53. Inthe event the knife I08 does not completely sever the paper, upon theoperation of the manual switch 28 to expose a succeeding portion of thepaper, the ejecting solenoid I5! is energized and its plunger I50 thrustdownwardly forcibly discharging the severed portion downwardly into thechute.

Pictures are developed by the structure of the present invention withoutthe handling of any of the sensitized strip printing material, thusobviating marks and other damage conventionally experienced as a resultof such handling. The printed pictures are of more uniform quality andmuch more speedily prepared inasmuch as the operator need only concernhimself with the positioning of successive negatives at the negativestation 2I and the operation of the manual switch 9 28 whenever anexposure is desired, 1 Not only does the minimizing of the operatorsefiorts result in the greater speed but substantially reduces the costof printing photographs.

The perforating structure described is optionally employed but in modernday. photography normally desired. The perforations are employed to bindpluralities of photo prints into booklets in the well known commercialform. v

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what isconceived to be the most practical and preferred method and embodiment,

it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scopeof the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosedherein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as toembrace any and all equivalent devices and systems.

reel, a discharge guide for the strip material ex-' tended from the feedrolls, a twoway limit switch having an operating lever extended into thedis- Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a photo printing apparatus having a negativestation adapted to receive photographic negatives to be printed, anexposure station adapted to receive sensitized printing material, asource of light arranged to project light rays through negativespositioned at the negative station onto sensitized printing material atthe exposure station, manually controlled means for initiatingenergization of the source of light, and

timing means adapted to interrupt energization of the source of lightafter a predetermined period; a feeding and cutting attachmentcomprising a reel mounted at one side of the printing apparatus adaptedto receive a roll of strip sensitized printing material thereon, a guidemounted at the exposure station adapted threadably to receivetherethrough printing material from the reel, printing material feedingmeans mounted on the printing apparatus opposite to the printing stationfrom the reel, guide means for the printing material extended from thefeeding means, a limit switch mounted in the guide means engageable byprinting material fed therethrough, a cutting knife mounted in the guidemeans intermediate the limit switch and the feeding means, a perforatingpunch mounted above the guide means for reciprocal positioning into theguide means, and a control circuit including a source of electricalcurrent, the manually controlled means, the timing means ofthephotoprinting apparatus and the limit switch of the feeding and cuttingattachment arranged-to energize the feeding means in response tointerruption of the energization of the light source,,to interrupt thefeeding means in response to the engagement of the limit switch by sheetmaterial fed through the guide means concurrently with activation of thecutting knife and perforator punch, and to interrupt activation of thecutting knife and perforator punch in response to movement of theperforator punch into the guide means, the manually controlled meansbeing adapted to re-initiate the operational sequence by effectingenergization of the light source.

2. In combination with a photo printing apparatus having an exposurestation for sensitized printing material, a source of light, manuallycontrolled means for initiating illumination of the exposure stationfrom the source of light, and a timing device for interruptingillumination of the exposure station a predetermined period after theinitiation of the illumination thereof; a feeding and cutting attachmentfor rolled sensitized strip printing material comprising a reel mountedon the printing apparatus adjacent to the exposure charge guide inspaced relation to the feed rolls engageable by printing material. fedthereto, said switch having a normally closed position and analternately closed position into which it is urged by strip materialcontact, a cutting knife mounted transversely of the discharge guideintermediate the limit switch and the feed rolls, a perforating punchmounted above the path of discharge intermediate the cutting knife andthe feed rolls for reciprocal movement into the discharge path andhaving mechanical connection with the cutting knife for correspondingoperation thereof, a relay having a closing coil and an electricalbridging element, a control switch connected electrically in series withthe closing coil of the relay, releasable means for latching thebridging element of the relay in closed position, an electrical circuithaving controlled connection to the control switch closing said switchin response to interruption of the illumination of the exposure stationof the photo printing apparatus, an electrical circuit'connecting thenormally closed position of the limit switch, the motor, and the relaybridging element in series to the source of elec-- trical current, anelectrical circuit connecting the alternately closed position of thelimit switch in series with the solenoid and the relay bridging elementto the source of electrical current, a normally opened stopping switchhaving mechanically controlled connection to the solenoid wherebyoperation of the solenoid closes the stopping switch, a releasingsolenoid connected to the releasable latching means for the bridgingelement of the relay, an electrical circuit connecting the stoppingswitch and the releasing solenoid electrically in series to the sourceof electrical current, a resiliently retracted plunger mounted forforcible movement into the discharge guide intermediate the limit switchand the cutting knife; an ejector solenoid having driving connectionwith the plunger for reciprocation thereof into the discharge guide, andan electrical circuit connected to the timing device of the printingapparatus energizing the ejector solenoid concurrently with theillumination of the exposure station.

3. A photo printing apparatus comprising a negative station, stationarymeans for releasably holding negatives at the negative station, anexposure station in spaced relation to the negative station, a lamparranged to project light through the negative station into the exposurestation, a reel for strip printing material mounted at a side of theexposure station, a guide for strip material mounted at the exposurestation adapted threadably to receive strip material from the reel, apair of feed rollers rotatably mounted opposite to the guide from thereel adapted to receive strip material from the guide and uponmotivation to discharge the strip material in a predetermined path oftravel, a motor in driving connection with a feed roller, a limit switchmounted in spaced relation to the driving means in said path of travelof the strip material, said limit switch having a normally closedcontact and an alternate contact closed by engagement of the limit 1 1switch with strip material discharged by the feed rollers, a cuttingknife mounted between the limit switch and the feed rollers forreciprocal moveinent to and from the path of travel of the stripmaterial, a lamp energizing relay having a closing coil and anelectrical bridging element, a manual control switch connectedelectrically in series with the closing coil of the relay, a timerelectrically connected in series with the bridging element of the relayand the lamp, a motor energizing relay having a closing coil and anelectrical bridging element, a motor switch wired electrically in serieswith the operating coil of the motor relay, a solenoid electricallyconnected in series with the lamp relay, a solenoid electricall'yconnected in series with the lamp relay and the timer mechanicallyconnected to the motor switch whereby the switch is maintained in opencondition when the solenoid is energized and is closed by deenergizingthe solenoid, means connecting the normally closed contact of the limitswitch in series with the motor and with the bridging element of themotor relay, a solenoid having driving connection to the knife connectedin series with the alternate contact of the limit switch and thebridging element of the motor relay in parallel relation to the motor, alatch mounted in releasable engagement with the bridging element of themotor relay adapted releasably to retain the bridging element in closedposition, a solenoid having controlled connection to the latch adaptedto release the latch when energized, and a normally open stop switchconnected electrically in series with the latch solenoid and havingmechanical connection to the knife solenoid whereby movement of theknife a distance sufficient to cut the strip material incident to knifesolenoid operation closes the stop switch and energizes the latchsolenoid rm release the latch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 110,631 Cofli'n Jan. 3, 1871 1,385,369 Ferrie July 26, 19211,976,318 Young et a1 Oct. 9, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date257,430 Switzerland Apr. 1, 1949

